AIRLINE CEO STRESSES RELIABILITY TO CHAMBER

Corporate Airlines is looking to the future here.

Last May, the Smyrna, Tenn.-based commuter airline assumed contracts with Trans World Airlines to provide flights from Cape Girardeau Regional Airport to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, TWA's hub.

"We're handling about 1,000 passengers a month -- including incoming and outgoing -- and would like to see that figure double," said Charles Howell, president and CEO of Corporate Airlines. "We offer non-stop service between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, and our four-year reliability rating stands between 98.5 and 99 percent."

Howell was guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Friday Coffee, held at the Show Me Center.

Howell told the group that he thought the purchase of TWA by American Airlines could result in more opportunities for Corporate. "American flies to more destinations. We've had a good relationship with TWA, and will continue that relationship with American."

The next big date for TWA/American is Feb. 28. That is the deadline for bids for TWA.

Meanwhile, another group, formed by aviation investors and experts, said this week it would make a bid for TWA, allowing TWA to retain its employees, modernize its facilities and expand the airline. Full details were not immediately available by the group, identified as Jet Acquisitions Group Inc., of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Corporate Airlines offers three round-trip flights from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis, said Howell. The Corporate commuter services also flies from the Marion, Ill., market into St. Louis.

Corporate flies under the TWE banners, and utilizes 19-seat Jet Stream 32 Turbo-prop planes. Corporate and TWA have a five-year agreement, which will be absorbed by American. Passengers earn frequent flyer miles for flights on all Trans World Connections flights.

Corporate Airlines began operations in December 1996 as a Part 121 airline. The airline flies a schedule of 64 daily roundtrips including service between Nashville and Atlanta, and between Raleigh-Durham and eight destinations. The company's current fleet includes 15 J-32 aircraft, and employs 280 employees.